Seeing Eye Dogs For The Visually Impaired

Aside from being a loyal friend, a dog can become a reliable ‘pilot’ for the visually impaired. He can help a blind or visually impaired man go around places with ease. All dogs are partially color blind but their sense of smell is thousand times much keener than humans, which makes them an excellent guide and trail tracker. A dog that is trained to do guiding work is called a seeing eye dog.

A seeing eye dog is trained to stop during a no crossing sign, walk in pedestrian areas, avoid highways, lamp posts and open manholes, halt and walk slowly on steps and humps, and never runs toward another dog or chase a cat when it sees one. A dog may also be taught other skills such as nudging doors and retrieving items for their owners.

Not all dogs are fit for guide work. Dog trainers found that the best breeds for a seeing eye dog work are Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. These dogs are known for their intelligence and early maturation. They catch up in training faster than other breeds and never forget their training even after years of non-guide work.

Seeing eye dog schools assign a dog to a handler who will train the dog to be comfortable with a collar and leash. After six months of training, a seeing dog is introduced to its new owner and will be trained together for a week of actual seeing eye dog work.

Restaurants, hotel chains, condominiums and apartments in the United States allow a seeing eye dog entry in the area despite their ‘no pets allowed’ rule. The Americans with Disabilities Act has made sure that these wonder dogs be given access to any type of premises to protect and assist their owners at all times.